Positive Coefficient Research Articles

Construction of prokaryotic system for expression of porcine circovirus type 2 ORF-2 gene fragment

Porcine circovirus-associated diseases (PCVDs) are among the most significant challenges for pig farming in developed countries. Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) is considered the main etiological agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome in piglets. Mass PCVD occurrence has been reported in most regions of the world, that results in serious economic consequences. Optimal PCVD prevention is known to be achieved through a set of veterinary and sanitary measures in combination with vaccination. High evolutionary virus variability facilitating new genotype and strain emergence requires development of new candidate recombinant vaccines against PCV-2 infection. The study was aimed at construction of prokaryotic system for PCV-2 ORF-2 gene fragment expression and its functionality assessment. A genetic insert constructed from the most immunogenic type-specific PCV-2 epitopes based on genotype 2a, 2b, 2d strain and isolate consensus sequence was cloned into the expression vector pET-22b(+) that was incorporated into the Escherichia coli strain Rosetta 2(DE3). The transformants were selected based on the marker gene of ampicillin resistance on a selective medium. Target gene expression was induced by adding of isopropyl-β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside at different concentrations. As a result, Escherichia coli Rosetta 2(DE3)/pET-22b-ORF-2 strain, a producer of capsid protein fragment (92–233 amino acid residues), was constructed. It was found that in the presence of 1 mM isopropyl-β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside, the expression level of soluble truncated rCap was 35–40 mg/L 6 hours after induction. The expression product was tested for its specificity with indirect ELISA using whole-virion PCV-2-hyperimmunized porcine serum. It was shown that the positivity coefficient of producer strain cell lysates averaged to 4.34 (p < 0.005). The recombinant rCap protein is suitable for serological diagnosis and is also of interest as a vaccine component, which is the goal of our further studies.

PENGARUH KOMUNIKASI TERHADAP DISIPLIN KERJA KARYAWAN PADA OJAS PRANA CAFE & RESTAURANT UBUD GIANYAR

This study aims at the effectiveness of communication and the level of employee discipline as well as the effect of communication on employee work discipline at Ojas Prana Café & Restaurant Ubud Gianyar at Ojas Prana Cafe & Restaurant Ubud Gianyar. There are 5 methods used to collect data, namely: observation, interview, questionnaire, documentation, and literature study. The analysis technique used, namely: a. Quantitative Analysis, which is an analysis technique for analyzing quantitative data, where the analytical techniques used include 1) Simple Linear Regression Analysis, 2) Simple Correlation Analysis, 3) Determination Analysis. b. Descriptive analysis techniques to explain the results of the analysis and help draw conclusions about research results Based on the results of the analysis, it shows that the communication process in operations at Ojas Prana Cafe & Restaurant Ubud Gianyar is running very effectively. Work discipline in operations at Ojas Prana Cafe & Restaurant Ubud Gianyar is very good. Communication has a real or significant effect on employee work discipline at the Ojas Prana Café & Restaurant Ubud company which can be seen from t count (3.753) greater than t table (1.833), which is in the area of ​​rejection of Ho and Ha being accepted. The effect is very strong with a positive correlation coefficient of 0.781 which lies between 0.76 – 1.00 in the very strong criteria. While the influence relationship is positive, where with the improvement of communication one unit causes an increase in discipline of 0.958 units.

Land to the landless: Does the type of approach matter?

Uncertainty about land ownership is believed to increase vulnerability of marginalized groups in a society. When agriculture is not only responsible for employing more than half of the labor force population but also the main source of the livelihood of poor families, access to land becomes critical. This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of the impact of land reform on agricultural output in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. Employing a system of equations model and controlling for traditional variables, our study yields several noteworthy findings. First, our results reveal that land development exhibits a positive impact on agricultural output, emphasizing the importance of investment in agriculture. Conversely, the positive coefficient for civil unrest highlights the intricate relationship between land reform and social stability, suggesting that unrest may be a consequence of land reform aimed at addressing inequality. Second, the channel equations shed light on the indirect pathways through which factors like rural population growth rate, life expectancy, and capital stock influence agricultural output. These findings underscore the potential benefits of managing rural population growth, improving healthcare, and increasing investment in agriculture, albeit with varying degrees of impact. Third, our study dissects the different effects of land reform policies. Willing seller-willing buyer and various forms of expropriation are found to be significant in both land development and civil unrest equations, indicating their dual role in promoting land development while potentially contributing to social unrest. Striking a balance between land reform and stability emerges as a crucial policy challenge.

Concurrent and Discriminant Validity of the Farsi Translation of the Social Responsiveness Scale-Second Edition (SRS-2) and Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ).

Objective: Early detection of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can lead to earlier intervention and greater improvement of children's quality of life and performance; hence, the use of screening tools is essential to facilitate the diagnosis process. The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical and differential validity of Social Responsiveness Scale-Second Edition (SRS-2) and Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) in a group of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder compared to a normal developmental group. Method : The study was conducted in Roozbeh Hospital involving 52 children with ASD and 53 typically developing (TD) children, aged between 4-12 years. Their parents completed the SRS-2 and SCQ. These children were also interviewed using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, 2nd Edition (CARS-2) and Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale (ASDS). After completion, the results were analyzed using the SPSS Version 18 software and a significant level of 0.05. Results: The average age of children in the autism group was 7.5 ± 2.7 years, while in the typically developing (TD) children group, it was 7.7 ± 2.3 years (P = 0.656). A positive correlation coefficient was observed between the CARS questionnaire score, the SRS questionnaire score, the SCQ questionnaire score, and the ASDS ‏(P < 0.01). In the SRS questionnaire, the area under the ROC curve was 0.976, and in the SCQ questionnaire it was 0.953, both of which had a good and significant diagnostic value (P < 0.001). A sensitivity of 0.942 and specificity of 0.811 for the cut-off point of 62.5 were obtained in the SRS questionnaire. Additionally, a sensitivity of 0.865 and specificity of 0.925 for the cut-off point of 15.5 were achieved in the SCQ questionnaire. Conclusion: The SRS-2 and the SCQ are sensitive and specific tools for identifying and discriminating children with autism spectrum disorder.

Contribution of infectious diseases to the selection of ADH1B and ALDH2 gene variants in Asian populations.

The gene variants ADH1B*2 (Arg48His, rs1229984) and ALDH2*2 (Glu504Lys, rs671) are common in East Asian populations but rare in other populations. We propose that selective pressures from pathogen exposure and dietary changes during the neolithic transition favored these variants. Thus, their current association with differences in alcohol sensitivity likely results from phenotypic plasticity rather than direct natural selection. Samples sourced from the Allele Frequency Database (ALFRED) were utilized to compute the average frequency of ADH1B*2 and ALDH2*2 across 88 and 61 countries, respectively. Following computation of the average national allele frequencies, we tested the significance of their correlations with ecological variables. Subsequently, we subjected them to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Elastic Net regularization. For comprehensive evaluation, we collected individual-level phenotypic associations, compiling a Phenome-Wide Association Study (PheWAS) spanning multiple ethnicities. Following multiple testing correction, ADH1B*2 displayed significant correlations with Neolithic transition timing (r = 0.405, p.adj = 2.013e-03, n = 57) and historical trypanosome burden (r = -0.418, p.adj = 0.013, n = 57). The first two components of PCA explained 47.7% of the total variability across countries, with the top three contributors being the historical indices of population density and trypanosome and leprosy burdens. Historical burdens of the Mycobacteria tuberculosis and leprosy were the sole predictive variables with positive coefficients that survived Elastic Net regularization. Our analyses suggest that Mycobacteria may have played a role in the joint selection of ADH1B*2 and ALDH2*2, expanding the "toxic aldehyde hypothesis" to include Mycobacterium leprae. Additionally, our hypothesis, linked to dietary shifts from rice domestication, emphasizes nutritional deficiencies as a key element in the selective pressure exerted by Mycobacteria. This offers a plausible explanation for the high frequency of ADH1B*2 and ALDH2*2 in Asian populations.

Does financial development and institutional quality matter in South-South Trade? Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

This study re-evaluates the determinants of international trade in the global south, focusing on intra- and extra-SSA trade while considering financial development and institutional quality as additional predictors. It also examines whether these factors differ for south-south and north–south trade ties. We used a 22-years (ranging from 2000 to 2021) panel of 98 countries (41 from the SSA and the remaining from the ROW). A panel gravity model with Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood (PPML) estimation is used for the analysis. The results show that financial development in origin and destination countries boosts intra-trade in SSA countries, and the developed financial sector of the destination countries contributes to both intra-bloc and international trade. Financial development of exporting countries also spurs intra-bloc trade in SSA countries and the global south. In addition, apart from common expectations, the institutional quality of exporting countries plays a deterrent role, while the institutional quality of destination countries plays a positive and significant role in trade in the global south. We identified the interaction term for financial development and institutional quality of the exporting countries with a significant and positive coefficient for the global south and the global north, and null for intra-SSA trade. For destination countries, it becomes significantly positive with SSA and the global south but negative with the global north. The findings suggest that as part of the policy measures to boost intra-bloc trade in SSA and the global south, ensuring financial development needs better emphasis.

Exploring Age and Gender Identification Through Mandibular Parameters Using Orthopantomography: An Observational Study.

Aim This study aimsto examine five mandibular parameters: coronoid ramus height, condylar ramus height, projective ramus height, minimum ramus breadth, and gonial angle, using orthopantomography (OPG). Introduction The mandible, a crucial part of the human skull, demonstrates sexual dimorphism, which makes it an important tool for determining sex in forensic and anthropological investigations.Its form and structure are relatively resistant to significant changes after death. Among all skeletal components, the mandible stands out as a primary indicator of sexual differences. In forensic investigations, establishing the age and sex of an individual is considered a crucial initial step. This process can be particularly challenging in scenarios involving mass casualties, natural calamities, or extensively fragmented remains. Due to its responsiveness to growth patterns, the mandible is adept at accurately determining both age and sex. Materials and methods This study employed a sample size of 500 individuals, split equally between males and females, with 250 participants each. The age bracket chosen for this cohort ranged from 20 to 30 years, considering that bone growth characteristics within this range can assist in sex determination. The height of the mandibular ramus was assessed using Planmeca software, and subsequent data analysis was conducted using SPSS. Results When estimating age, the condylar ramus height exhibited the smallest standard error (0.010), whereas the maximum standard error for the gonial angle was 0.028. Positive t values were observed for the gonial angle (1.182), minimum ramus breadth (0.114), and coronoid ramus height (0.733). In terms of determining sex, the gonial angle, coronoid ramus height, and projective ramus height demonstrated positive coefficient functions, specifically 0.676, 0.090, and 0.286, respectively. Conversely, both the minimum ramus breadth and the condylar ramus height displayed negative values of -0.385 and -0.126, respectively. Conclusion Among the parameters evaluated, condylar ramus height emerges as the most suitable choice for estimating age, while gonial angle, coronoid ramus height, and projective ramus height are preferable for determining sex.

Modified CRI iteration methods for complex symmetric indefinite linear systems

This work investigates the iterative solution of complex symmetric linear systems with indefinite matrix term. Based on a technical equivalent reformulation of the original indefinite systems, an efficient stationary splitting iteration method is established by combining with its real and imaginary parts. In the view of the structure, the new method can be viewed as a modification of the combination method of the real and imaginary parts (CRI) in [Wang & Lu, J Comput Appl Math. 2017;325:188–197], which is originally designed for solving complex symmetric linear systems with positive semi-definite coefficient matrices. Despite that it is devoted to more difficult indefinite problems, the new method keeps the merits of unconditional convergence and parameter free implementation of the original method. Moreover, Chebyshev polynomial acceleration is considered to further improve the convergence rate of the new method. Numerical experiments on a set of model problems are tested to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed methods compared with some existing ones.

أهمية اتخاذ القرار في تحسين الذكاء الاصطناعي بالتطبيق على صناع القرار في البنوك الخاصة في اليمن

      The objective of this study is to determine the impact of change management on digital transformation initiatives in Yemeni telecom sector. A quantitative approach with analytical and deductive methods was adopted to examine the relationship and determine the impact between change management and digital transformation. The study targeted a population of 902 managers and team leaders in the sector. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to a stratified sample of 226 respondents. The random sample was 25% of each stratum. The questionnaire items were designed to measure the change management dimensions (Change Urgency, Visionary Coalition, Empowerment and Sustainability) and digital transformation dimensions (Technology, Processes, People, Culture and Business Model).  The results generated show a highly significant positive relationship between effective change management practices and the successful implementation of digital transformation initiatives (substantial positive coefficient B of 0.786, R2 of 0.62 and high t-value of 29.34, and the extremely low p-value below 0.001). In conclusion, this study indicates that digital transformation initiatives require practicing proper and structural change management practices.

Spatial distribution, source identification, ecological risk assessment, and air–seawater/seawater– Sediment exchange rates of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Pars special economic energy zone, Iran

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been introduced as major pollutants released by the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. Against this background, the present study examined the coastal air, seawater, and sediments in the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone (PSEEZ), Iran, in terms of pollution caused by such compounds. Considering the industrial facilities and residential areas in this region, the total suspended particulate (TSP), seawater, and sediments were sampled (n = 10) and then analyzed over the course of two seasons via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The total concentrations in the TSP, seawater, and sediments were found to be in the range of 346-739ngPAH/gTSP, ND-84.87 µg/L, and ND–306.7 ngg−1(dw), respectively. The positive correlation coefficients between sediment organic matter (OM) and concentrations did not show a significant relationship. Crude oil and its derivatives and biomass-coal combustion were identified as the main sources of pollution. Carcinogenic PAHs (CPAHs) were further detected at much higher concentrations near industrial facilities. Sediment qualityguidelines (SQGs) and risk quotients (RQs) showed that coastal seawater and sediments posed acceptable and moderate ecological risks. According to the fugacity diagrams, the seabed and seawater served as secondary sources of pollution. The total concentration and values obtained in earlier investigations were also comparable. Nonetheless, most maximum points could provide a point-form of the pollutant concentration. Therefore, preventive measures are required to ensure the protection of the environment.

Experimental investigation of wind pressures on photovoltaic (PV) panel installed parallel to residential gable roof

The study was conducted to investigate the wind pressures on PV panels installed parallel to a 30° pitched gable roof, with a special focus on the effects of roof clearance. The wind pressures on the two sides of the scaled panels with four clearances, i.e., ranging from 5 cm to 20 cm with an interval of 5 cm, were tested. The pressure coefficients over taps and zones were examined and discussed. The results show that the most critical positive and negative area-averaged peak net pressure coefficients were comparable in magnitude. With a clearance of 10 cm, the critical positive and negative values were 1.13 and −1.08, respectively, and both occurred at θ = 0°. With effective area of 3.7 m2, the critical positive values increased 26.6 %, 8.3 % and 11.7 % as clearance ranged from 5 cm to 10 cm, 10 cm to 15 cm, and 15 cm to 20 cm, respectively, while the critical negative values changed little when clearance was less than 15 cm, but increased 18.8 % when clearance increased from 15 cm to 20 cm. However, the associated unfavorable wind directions of critical positive and negative values were at θ = 0°, and oblique wind, respectively, remaining nearly unchanged with the increasing of clearance. The tested critical positive and negative area-averaged peak net pressure coefficients were smaller than the values calculated by standards, indicating that the wind resistant designs of roof-mounted PV panels according to the mentioned standards are quite conservation.

Effect of Ti4+ and Pb2+ on negative thermal expansion and polarization behaviors of KSr2Nb5O15: First-principles investigation

The utilization of both negative and positive thermal expansion coefficients presents a potential means of mitigating internal stress in high-temperature materials, hence offering a novel approach to enhance the impact strength of those materials. The investigation of the thermal expansion coefficient and polarization characteristics of KSr2Nb5O15 doped with Ti4+ and Pb2+ was conducted by the utilization of first-principles calculations. The introduction of Ti4+ and Pb2+ into the KSr2Nb5O15 lattice resulted in an increase in lattice distortion. This effect was particularly pronounced when Ti4+ and Pb2+ were co-doped, leading to the largest lattice distortion observed in KSr2Nb5O15. Furthermore, the negative thermal expansion coefficient of KSr2Nb5O15 was also found to be the highest under these co-doping conditions, with a value of −0.560×10−5 K−1 compared to the original value of −0.011×10−5 K−1. Conversely, when Ti4+ was doped individually, the lattice distortion and negative thermal expansion coefficient of KSr2Nb5O15 were found to be the smallest. Furthermore, the inclusion of Ti4+ and Pb2+ leads to an enhancement in the dielectric constant. This effect is particularly pronounced when Ti4+ and Pb2+ are simultaneously incorporated into the KSr2Nb5O15 lattice. Consequently, the dielectric constant of the material exhibits a substantial improvement. The greatest polarization intensity is achieved when KSr2Nb5O15 is co-doped with Ti4+ and Pb2+, resulting in a polarization intensity of 38.61 μC/cm2. The dense ceramics comprising of KSr2Nb5O15, with the addition of Ti4+ and Pb2+ dopants, were synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. Subsequently, the thermal expansion coefficients and dielectric characteristics of these ceramics were evaluated. The experimental results are not in good agreement with the calculated results, but qualitatively, the trend predicted by the theory is confirmed by experiment. This study establishes the groundwork for the synthesis of KSr2Nb5O15 materials exhibiting pronounced negative thermal expansion characteristics.

Reversal of particle Migration for viscoelastic solution at high solvent viscosity

The imbalance of normal stress around a particle induces its transverse migration in pressure-driven viscoelastic flow, offering possibilities for particle manipulation in microfluidic devices. Theoretical predictions align with experimental evidence of particles migrating towards the center-line of the flow. However, these arguments have been challenged by both experimental and numerical investigations, revealing the potential for a reversal in the direction of migration for viscoelastic shear-thinning fluids. Yet, a significant property of viscoelastic liquids that remains largely unexplored is the ratio of solvent viscosity to the sum of solvent and polymer viscosities, denoted as β. We computed the lift coefficients of a freely flowing cylinder in a bi-dimensional Poiseuille flow with Oldroyd-B constitutive equations. A transition from a negative (center-line migration) to a positive (wall migration) lift coefficient was demonstrated with increasing β values. Analogous to inertial lift, the changes in the sign of the lift coefficient were strongly correlated with abrupt (albeit small) variations in the rotation velocity of the particle. We established a scaling law for the lift coefficient that is proportional, as expected, to the Weissenberg number, but also to the difference in rotation velocity between the viscoelastic and Newtonian cases. If the particle rotates more rapidly than in the Newtonian case, it migrates towards the wall; conversely, if the particle rotates more slowly than in the Newtonian case, it migrates towards the center-line of the channel. Finally, experiments in microfluidic slits confirmed migration towards the wall for viscoelastic fluids with high viscosity ratio.

Length-weight Relationship and Condition Factors of Seven Penaeus Shrimp Species along the Southeast Coast of Tamil Nadu (Southern India)

Background: The present study of the length-weight relationship and condition factors of seven shrimp species on the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu between July (2022) and February (2023) also estimated the coefficient of determination (r2). Methods: For shrimp species, the length-weight relationship shows some species have significant positive coefficients which have a determination by (r2 greater than 0.5) like Penaeus indicus, Penaeus mergiuensis, Penaeus canaliculatus, Penaeus latisulcatus, Penaeus monodon, some species have shown negative as (r2 greater than 0.5) value like Penaeus japonicas and Penaeus semisulcatus. Result: All shrimp species have heterogeneity evident in intercept (a). The growth exponent (b) varied between 0.278 and 2.289 and it significantly (p=0.05) deviated from the value of less than 3 which denoted negative allometric growth for all Penaeus shrimp species.

أثر إدارة التغيير على التحول الرقمي في قطاع الاتصالات في اليمن

          The objective of this study is to determine the impact of change management on digital transformation initiatives in Yemeni telecom sector. A quantitative approach with analytical and deductive methods was adopted to examine the relationship and determine impact between change management and digital transformation. The study targeted a population of 902 managers and team leaders in the sector. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to a stratified sample of 226 respondents. The random sample was 25% of each stratum. Questionnaire items were designed to measure the change management dimensions (Change Urgency, Visionary Coalition, Empowerment and Sustainability) and digital transformation dimensions (Technology, Processes, People, Culture and Business Model).  The results generated show a highly significant positive relationship between effective change Management practices and the successful implementation of digital transformation initiatives (substantial positive coefficient B of 0.786, R2 of 0.62 and high t-value of 29.34, and the extremely low p-value below 0.001). In conclusion, this study indicates that digital transformation initiatives require practicing proper and structural change management practices.

Utilization of Smart Agricultural Technology to Improve Resource Efficiency in Agro-industry

This study investigates the utilization of smart agricultural technologies to improve resource efficiency in the agro-industry, using a quantitative approach with a focus on Structural Equation Modeling - Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) analysis. A survey of 250 agro-industry stakeholders produced descriptive statistics showing a high mean adoption score (4.2) and a significant frequency of adoption (75%). Resource efficiency indicators, including average water use (32.5 gallons per hectare), average energy consumption (15.8 kWh per hectare), and average crop yield (2,800 kg per hectare), were also assessed. The SEM-PLS results showed strong reliability and validity of the measurement model, with positive path coefficients indicating substantial impacts of smart technology adoption on water use efficiency, energy consumption optimization, and crop yield. The model showed a satisfactory fit, and bootstrapping confirmed the robustness of the relationships. The discussion highlights practical implications for farmers, policymakers, and technology providers, emphasizing the potential for increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved yields through the adoption of smart technologies. This study contributes valuable insights to the discourse of sustainable agricultural practices.

EFFECT OF WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT ON PROFITABILITY OF LISTED CONSUMER GOOD COMPANIES IN NIGERIA

This ex post facto study investigates the effect of Working Capital Management (WCM) on the profitability of 10 listed consumer goods companies in Nigeria over the period 2017-2022. Utilizing a panel data analysis framework with fixed and random effect regression, Jarque Bera statistics and Breusch-Pagan LM for assessing heteroscedasticity, the study reveals valuable insights into the relationship between WCM variables and Return on Assets (ROA). The positive and significant coefficient of 0.000617 for the Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC) suggests that a deliberate and strategic extension of the cash conversion cycle is associated with increased profitability. The study also explores the intricate relationships, revealing that fluctuations in inventory turnover, variations in accounts receivables and payables, and certain firm characteristics like size and leverage may not be robust determinants of profitability. These findings emphasize the need for tailored working capital management strategies based on specific industry characteristics and organizational contexts. The study's implications underscore the importance of meticulous cash conversion cycle management for consumer goods companies seeking to optimize financial health and operational effectiveness. While inventory turnover, accounts receivables, and accounts payables are crucial components of WCM, their individual variations may not be decisive factors influencing overall financial success. This research contributes to the growing body of evidence on the intricate relationship between WCM and profitability, offering valuable insights for financial decision-makers in the consumer goods sector in Nigeria.

A systematic investigation of external lubrication of mini-tablets on a rotary tablet press with focus on the tensile strength

External lubrication is an alternative to internal lubrication and its related detrimental effects on properties of tablets like tensile strength (TS). However, to date there are hardly any systematic investigations on external lubrication of mini-tablets on rotary tablet presses. Aim of this study was the systematic investigation of the impact of parameters tableting pressure, tableting speed, dosing rate and air pressure on the TS of mini-tablets. Both studies, the Central Composite Design (CCD) with SMCC 90 and the subsequently executed D-optimal design with SMCC 50, exhibited that tableting pressure had the highest positive effect on TS. Tableting speed and dosing rate in the CCD presumably did not seem to influence the TS, air pressure represented a positive coefficient. An additional temporal factor seemed to impact the results, deduced from the negative effect of the experimental order on TS in the CCD and from the negative correlation along the execution order in the residual plots. Additional long runs support findings of a non-linear decrease of TS over time. An interplay between dosing rate level and performance of the dust extraction collector is assumed, making more magnesium stearate available in the tablet press and potentially causing gradual contamination of the powder over time.

UNDERPRICING SIGNALS: EXPLOITATION OF DAR VARIABLES (DEBT TO ASSET RATIO)

The analysis of DAR (Debt to Asset Ratio) associated with the level of underpricing movement is the main focus in this study process. This study adopts a quantitative approach and relies on secondary data with a focus on explanatory research. The utilisation of purposive sampling method in sample selection allows the study to focus on 77 issuers over a significant period from 2021 to 2022. The uniqueness of this study lies in the use of the latest data and a sample that reflects the situation during the period. In analysing the data, linear regression with the support of EViews software is used as the main tool to test the hypothesis. The data source is obtained from the information of companies conducting initial public offerings and accessed through the Indonesia Stock Exchange website. The calculation results show a significant impact of the DAR variable on the level of movement of IPO stock underpricing. The positive coefficient on the DAR variable indicates that an increase in the DAR value has the potential to increase the level of movement of IPO stock underpricing, and vice versa.

SOME BIOCHEMICAL ATTRIBUTES IN SEMINAL PLASMA OF IRAQI BUFFALO BULLS AND THEIR RELATION TO THE SEMEN QUALITY

This study was undertaken to figure out the relationship between some biochemical characteristics in seminal plasma with the semen quality of Iraqi buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis). Semen was diluted with the Tris extender and divided based on the sperm cell's individual motility into two groups. The first group included good-semen quality (GS; n=3), whereas, the second group included poor-semen quality (PS; n=5). The differences between GS and BS groups in all seminal biochemical attributes lacked significance.  A negative and significant (P≤0.05) correlation coefficient was noticed between cholesterol concentration and both principal and terminal sperms abnormality (r= -0.52), and total abnormalities (r= -0.53). A positive and significant (P≤0.05) correlation coefficient was shown between cholesterol concentration and normal sperm percentage (r= 0.53). Moreover, there was a negative and significant correlation (P≤0.05) between the triglyceride concentration and each of the percentages of individual sperm motility (r = -0.50) and of live sperm (r = -0.51).  It can be concluded that some biochemical characteristics of seminal plasma can be used to predict the semen quality and fertility of Iraqi buffalo bulls.